Stetson Stompers offer foot stomping fun for all

Most Tuesday nights during the fall and winter months, Centennial Community Center in Stetsonville shakes with the hammering of music and the pounding of feet as the Stetson Stompers gather to line dance their worries away.

Candy Zirngible, the leader of the vivacious group, brings everyone together for two sessions a year; one held every Tuesday night from September until the week before Christmas and the second one held every Tuesday night from January until the end of April. Zirngible states that each event typically attracts at least 35 people, though it isn’t unusual to see up to 50 dancers depending on the day of the week.

“It’s mainly for fun,” Zirngible said of the group.

The Stetson Stompers encourage people of all ages and skill levels to attend, with their youngest member being 10. Some of the more seasoned dancers, such as Carol and Bonnie, have been line dancing with Zirngible since the 1990s.

You don’t need to have experience to join this group of boot-scooters. “The people with two left feet, I tell them to bring them both,” said Zirngible. “We are a very supportive group, everybody helps everybody.”

Zirngible encourages new members to stand in the middle of the group in order to follow dancers on all sides. There’s no pressure to get it right as perfection is not the name of the game.

“Nobody makes a mistake in this class,” said Zirngible.

Zirngible began line dancing at Skateway in the early 1990s after her husband saw an event and asked her to go with him. together, they and when the instructor stepped Zirngible stepped up.

She lost her husband a few years ago, but Zirngible never stopped

dancing. “Without them I don’t know if I would have survived,” she recalls. “The support is unbelievable.” Zirngible that she isn’t the only one for that reason.

The Stetson Stompers recognize their group as more than just a gang of line dancers. They list camaraderie as one of the main reasons they continue to gather.

Zirngible reports that line dancing is great exercise for both the mind and the body.

“It’s a stress reliever,” she said.

You’ll find the Stetson Stompers turning out on Tuesday nights at 6:15 p.m. for open dancing with lessons beginning at 6:30 p.m. Zirngible likes to begin her lessons geared towards beginners throwing in a few complicated about 7:45 p. take a well- break. The group reconvenes for patterned dances There’s but there Zirngible just person club up running. dance to there’s something for everyone.

Whether you’re a

physical workout, grab water and sneakers and down to the Centennial Community Center on Tuesday where the Stetson Stompers waiting for the dance floor.

By Mandee Ellis, Reporter

Photos by Mandee Ellis Layout by Janna Johnson

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